Love at first bite: Tickle Tree Cafe

Matcha Green Tea Latte – not mentioned but so very noteworthy

Coffee is something I love the idea and smell of, but have never been able to drink without feeling like I basically overdosed on caffeine. Here, I found my latte soul mate; a simple iced vanilla latte made with Four Barrel Espresso — sweet and delightful, much like the cafe as a whole.

Nestled in the hillside (on the corner of Foothill Blvd and Dryer St in La Crescenta,) this family owned gem will make both food & coffee connoisseurs alike happy to support local business.

The sunlit interior is sprinkled with wood slab two-seaters and a gathering of larger tables perfect for families or casual business meetings. The music is soft to compliment the industrial style atmosphere. The service is fast and friendly. Plus, it never seems to be too crammed/crowded, even when every table is full.

Of course, thats just the inside. The dog-friendly patio is double leveled with plenty of space and one token “tickle tree*” as the focus. Grabbing a spot outside with my guy, my pup and the insanely refreshing mint lemonade, is a favorite date for me. Add in any of the items off the yet-to-disappoint lunch menu and you can definitely consider us satisfied.

BLAT Sandwich (without the “T”) with mint lemonade and the Breakfast Quesadilla with a iced vanilla latte, out on the patio.

If in the San Fernando Valley or general LA region, be sure to stop in to try anything and everything on the menu. (Top suggestions are; the Breakfast Quesadilla: deliciously overstuffed tortilla with eggs, cheese, a side of beans and pico de gallo or the Chorizo Huevos Rancheros: made traditional style and seasoned beautifully. Find the whole menu here) Then take a mind blowing brownie from the pastry case for the road — so perfect it made me cry. No exaggeration… just a borderline insane love for good chocolate.

My first fudge brownie with my first bite missing. Literally… love at first bite.